Liquid-treating apparatus



"March 6, 1928.

H. H. MILLER I IIQUIDv TREATING APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 28 @M mi March 6, 1928. l1,661,379

H, H. MILLER LIQUID TREAIING APPARATUS Filed June 2a, 192s 2 sneets-sneez2 Patented Mar. 6, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENToFFICE.

HARVEY II. MILLER, OF CANTONQOHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE H. H. MILLER INDUSTRIES l COMPANY, OF CANTON, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

LIQUID-TBEATING APPARATUS.

Application filed June 28, 1923.` Serial No. 648,334.

This invention relatesto an apparatus for treating liquids, `tor example, milk and cream.

@ne object of the invention is to provide anV apparatus of this character of relatively simple construction and adapted to treat milk and other liquid matters in an economi cal manner.

Another object ot the invention is to co1nbine with a receiving or holding vat an apparatus having a treating surface or sur- Jfaces over which milk or other liquid flows as :it fills the vat, whereby its temperature may be readily and economically changed.

A 'further object of the invention is to provide a receiving or holding vat with means 'for spraying milk or other liquid While being discharged intothe vat over a temperature changing surface, whereby the milk or other liquid may be quickly and economi` cally treated.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent to those skilled inthe art to which my invention relates from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein Fig. 1 is a view, partly in elevation and partly in section, of an apparatusembodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary top view on the line 2*-2 ot Fig. S--that is', with the top or cover removed and parts broken away.

Fig. 3 a section on the line 3-43 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4; a section on the line 'il-4.-` of Fig. 1. i

Fig. 5 is a 'fragmentary section on the line 5 of Fig. 2, but somewhat enlarged.

In the drawings, 1 indicates a vat` or holder for receiving and holding a liquid, such as milk or cream. The vat may be of any desired construction and shape, but for purposes of illustration, it comprises end walls 2, side walls 3, a bottom wall 4 and a top 5. The side and bottom walls are made continuous `and the latter curved to facilitate manufacture as well as to insure easy cleaning and sanitary conditions in the use of the apparatus. Each of the Walls referred to may comprise spaced plates having a suitable packing or insulating Inaterial between them to prevent the transfer ot heat or cold thru the walls of the vat. The walls ot the vatare also so constructed that it may be suitably supported in any preferred manner, tor example, by a plural- :ityot legs `or standards 6. By preference, each of the end walls 2 includes a casting 2 having (a) along its upper edge flan es 7 forming asupport for the top 5 an (b) along its side and lower edges ianges 8, t0 which-the plates which constitute the side and bottom walls maybe secured in any well known manner. The top 5 preferably comprises a main section 5 and side sections 5" which are hinged to the main sectionand swingable upwardly as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 4, against a rest 9, to

permit inspection and access to the interior ci? the lvat 1.

The 4vat 1 .is toi-med with openings 10, 11, the :former being arranged in the upper porw tion of one end wall 2 and serving to reu ceivc an inlet pipe 12 for the liquid to be treated and the latter preferably being arranged in the lower portion oil' the other end `wall 2 to provide :tor the emptying of the vat. The opening l1 preferably has con necte'd to it a pipe 13 which may lead to any desired point. The pipes 12 and 13 may be controlled by suitable valves (not shown).

14 indicates as an entirety j an apparatus arrangediwithin the vat- 1 through which a temperature changing n'iedium flows and providing a `surface `or surfaces on which the milk `maybe sprayed or discharged `in a relatively thin lilm as it is delivered or discharged into the vat by the inlet pipe 12, and over which the milk may flow in a relatively thin film as it fills the vat, whereby the milk is heated or cooled as the vat fills in the manner later to be set forth. The surface treating apliiaratus 14 preferably extends longitudinally and centrally of the vat 1 and from a point near its bottom wall 4 to a point near the top 5 :in order to provide a maximum treating surface for the milk to flow over. The surface treating apparatus 14 preferably comprises a plurality ot pipes 15, disposed in parallelism in a 'vertical plane, and rigidly secured at their opposite ends to manifolds 16 and connected.` with passages 17 formed in the latter, so as `to provide one continuous conduit 17"through the pipes for the temperature changing Tnedium, one end ot the conduit having an inlet 18"connected with an inlet pipe 19 and the other end o'lf the conduit having an outlet 2() connected with a piijie 2l. The temperature changing medium may be of any desired el'iaracter, dependingupon whether or not the milk is to be heated or cooled or maintained substantially at a predetermined temperature. Accordingly, steam, hot water, cold Water, brine or other medium may be caused to lflow through the conduit 17, as desired; that is, the apparatus may be used as a heater or a cooler for the milk, Vor for maintaining the milk at a predetermined temperature, or the apparatus may be alternately used for heatingor cooling purposes. The manifolds 16 are preferably provided at their lupper ends and with laterally projecting brackets or arms 22 which fit into the openings 1() formed in the end walls 2 and thus serve to support the surface treating apparatus in the vat 1, shown in Figs. 1 and 4.k The brackets or arms 22 are preferably hollow, so that one may accommodate the receiving` pipe 12 and the other' may serve as the inlet or outlet pipe 19 for the heating or cooling medium, depending` upon whether the medium flows through the conduit17 vin one direction or the other. If desired, the pipes 15 may be formed. of suitable material which has avrelatively high coefficient ofheat conductivity. 24 indicates as 'an entirety means for discharging the milk or other liquid in relatively small streams or sp ay form or a thin film on to the upper pipe 15,-whereby the milk or other liquid may flow over the pipes successively as ittlows downwardly to or toward the bottom of the vat. rllhe discharge means 24 preferably comprises a trough 24 having a llength substantially equal to the length of the pipesl and formed in its bottom wall with a plurality of ports 24'), which discharge the milk in relatively small streams. In the preferred form of construction, I provide two rows of ports 24b and arrange between them a bar or plate 24, the opposite faces of which serve as flow walls to guide ythe milk from the ports 24" downwardly on to the upper pipe 15. The trough 24 is formed with an opening 24dthrough which the pipe 12 extends, as shown in F ig. 1. The opposite ends of the trough 24:l are supportedvupon the upper ends'ofthe manifolds 16, the latter being preferably formed with sockets 25 which form seats to receive such ends. y

Bypreference, the surface treating apparatus 14V is constructed substantially in accordance with like elements and parts disclosed in Letters Patent No. 1,352,215, granted to Leroy S. Pfouts on the 7th day of September, 1920, to which reference may be made. y]

v26 indicates as an entirety means for supplying and circulating the temperature changing .medium to and from the surface treating apparatus 14. The supply and circulating means illustrated is arranged to supply hot water to the inlet pipe 19, but. it Will be understood that by connecting the inlet and outlet pipes 19, 2], respectively, with suitable supply and discharge pipes for cold water, brine or other refrigerating medium, the apparatus may be used for cooling purposes. Of the supply and circulating means 26, 27 indicates a tank for containing a body or quantity of water. 28 indicates a pipe preferably leading upwardly thru the bottom of the tank 27, and connected with a pump, for example, a rotary pump 29 from the discharge end of which leads a pipe lo connected to the inlet pipe 1S) in a well known manner. 31 indicates a pipe leading` from the outer end of the pipe 2l, to thc tank 27 for discharging the medium therein. The pump 29 serves to draw water from the tank 27 and to force it thru the pipe, 3o and conduit 'forn'icd by the pipes lo and manifolds 16, from which conduit the medium flows back to the tank 27 to be again circulated through the system. ',lhc water in the tank 27, and hence thruont. the circulatiuasystem is heated to and maintained at any predetermined temperature in any suitable manner, but preferably by a steam injector 32 which muy be of any well known construction. 'llhe injector 32 is connected with a` steam supply pipe 33 which is provided with a valve 234 to regulate the supply of steam to the injector.

35 indicates means for causing the liquid in the vat to keep in motion, or under :igitation, or flowing around or from end to end of the vat to n'iaintain all portions of the liquid in substantially uniform condition and to insure uniform treatment of the cntire body of the liquid due to the eil'ects of the temperature changing medium flowing; thru the surface treating apparatus 1l and to cause all portions of the liquid to contact with the surface or surfaces of the latter. The agitating means 35 preferably comprise. one or more rotating devices preferably disposed at the end or ends of the vat I. Each agitating device may comprise :i plurality of revolving bladesl 35 disposed at an angle so as to set up a tlow or current in the body of the liquid resulting from their revolvingl motion. I preferably provide an agita'iingmeans 35 at each end of the vat 1 and on the opposite sides of the Surface treating apparatus 14 so that one such agitating means operates in line with the space between one side of such appara-- tus and the adjacent side wall 3 and the other agit-ating means operates in line with the space between the other side of such :ipparatus and the adjacent side wall 3, thereby insuring generation of :i current at either side of the surface treating apparatus and substantially from end to end of the vat. The blades 35 of each agitating means 35 are secured to a shaft 35", which is mounted in a suitable journal or bearingl 3F" and thev bearing 35 may be formed integral with lill lofi

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`a motor 1- 1.. l'an electric motor suitably mounted on a bracket or stand 42 supported on the end l wall `2. As shown, ach agitating means 35 (end "wall 2 and forms a cover `oran opening therein to permitthe `assembly and removal )ol' the agiiatingnmeans. `The outer' end ot the `iifihait 35 preferably `carries a sprocket Wheel 37 flor a driveichain 38 'which runs over a sprocket 3S) tired to the sha-:H540 ot' The motortl is preferably is driven by a seliarate motor so that either may bc operated independcnt'oit `the otlieror bothoperatcd simultaneously as `well provide `lor the assei'nbly of the apparatus with either one or both such` agitating means. i

In the use of the apparatus, the iuilk or other liquid Which isjto be delivered to the vat l tor treatment is caused to be sprayed or discharged in small streams over' the outer .surfaces ot the pipes l5 through which the temperature changing .medium is caused to l'low, so that the treatment of the milk commences as soon as the vat commences to lill, and accordingly, by the time the lilling step is completed the temperature ol the milk has been materially changed and less time is required to complete the treatment. lily arranging the spraying means at the top or the vat, it will be seen that the treat`- ment of the milk by contact With the sur taces ol the pipes continues until the milk rises to the lull capacity ot the vat. Accordiiigly, it will be seen that the apparatus may be operated with great economy and in a simple manner. Furthermore., I amenabled to accomplish this advantage Without the use ct' moving parts Within'the vat and liquid coi'inections through the walls of the vat therewith, so that the elements may be readily made and assembled.

By arranging the surface treatingr apparatus lll centrally and longitudinally of the vat, I provide a dividing Wall Which serves to provide channels for the milk t-o flow through by reason of the operation of the agitating means 35. By arranging these means in line with the space between either side oit the surface treat-ing apparatus and the side walls o'l the vat 1, currents may be readily set up to maintain the milk properly mixed and in unitorm condition while being treated or stored.

By extending the outlet pipe 21 through the adjacent wall 2, it operates to prevent lateral movement ol" the lower end of the surface treating apparatus.

While I have disclosed a construction where in liquid is used as the temperature changing' medium, it Will ot course be understood that other mediums may be used, for instance, a vapor or gas, it desired.

To Vthose skilled in the art of making apparrains ot the class described, many alter ations. in construction and Widely dilering embodiments and applications of my 1nven tion will suggest themselves, Without dcparting from the spirit and scope thereof. My disclosures and the description herein are purely illustrative and are not intended in any `sense limiting..

VVhatI claim is: 1. In apparatus of the class described, the combination oi` `a vat, `a treating apparatus statioiiaiiily mounted therein between and in spaced relation to its side Vwalls and comprisin g a conduit the surfaces ol which form tlow walls l"or thcliquid to be delivered t0 said vat, means extending longitudinally olf the upper section ot said conduit lor discharging the liquid thereon, meansl 'tor supplying liquid to said discharging means, means for causing a temperature changing medium to i'low through said conduit, and separate means ior causing a circulation of the liquid `in said vat relative to said trcating apparatus.

2. In apparatus oi the class described, the combination ot a vat or receptacle, a plu i'ality ot pipes dispijised vertically in parel` lelism and stationai'iiy mounted longitudinally ol said vat or receptacle in spaced relation to the side Walls thcreoit and connected at their ends to form a continuous conduit having an inlet and an outlet, a receiving trough stationarily mounted above and extending longitudinally of the luppermost pipe, said trough being provided with discharge means for the liquid to be treated in the vat and a iiiow Wall leading from said discharge means, means for supplying liquid to said trouo'li, and connections `with said inlet and outlet lor a temperature changing medium.

3. In aplgiaratus oi the class described, the combination ol a vat, a Creating apparatus stationarily mounted in said 'vat and extend in longitudinally thereof in spaced relation to its side Walls, said apparatus comprising a plurality ot connected pipes disposed in vertical alignment, a supply means disposed above and extending longitudinally of said treating apparatus and provided with means nl'or spraying liquid onto the upper pipe,

`n'ieans for causing a temperature cliangiiw medium to How tl'irough said pipes, an means at one side of said apparatus for agitating the liquid delivered to said vat.

4i. In apparatus ot the class described, the combination ot' a vat or receptacle for a liquid, a member disposed vertically and extending longitudinally of said vat or receptacle and spaced :from the side Walls thereof, said member being iori'ned with a conduit through which a ten'iperature changing medium flows, and agitating means carried by cach end wall of said vat oi' receptacle, one saii'l agitating means being arranged to effect a current flow of theliquid in the space titl at one side of said member and the other said agitating means being arranged'to effect a current liow of the liquid on the other side of Said. member,

'5. In apparat-us of the class described, the eon'ibination of a vat orreeeptaele for a. liquid to be treated, a member disposed vertically and extending; longitudinally of said Vat or receptacle and spaced from the side Walls thereof, Said member being formed Witha conduit through which a temperature Changing medium Howe, and agitating meana at one end ot said vat or receptacle and arranged subatautially in line With the space between oneA side of Said member and the adjacent side wall of said vat or reeeptaole. Y Y

6. `In apparatus of the elasa described, the combination of a Yat or receptacle for a liquid to be treated, a member disposed vertically and extending longitudinally of said vat or receptacle and spaced from the Side Walls thereof, said member being formed with a conduit through which a temperature Changing medium ovs, an agitating means at one end of said vat or receptacle and arranged substantially in line with the space between one Side of' said member and the adjacent Side wall of lQaid vat or receptaele,and an agitatingmeans at the other end of said vat or reeeptaele and arranged substantially in line with the spare bel-Ween the other Side oli' Said member and the adjacent Side wall of said vat or reeeptaele.

In testimony whereof` I have hereunto Subscribed my name.

HARVEY H. MILLER. 

